NYC Marathon FAQ

Wondering how to navigate the expo, the start, the subway? We have answers.

When does the race start? This year, for the 2011 ING New York City Marathon, the pro women head out at 9:10 a.m., followed by three waves of about 15,000 runners each. The pro men and first group of mortals take off at 9:40; two progressively slower waves follow in every 30 minutes. The wave system is meant to lighten start-line congestion.

When does daylight saving time end?Daylight saving time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 6—race morning. So, be sure to set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night. The good news is this gives you an extra hour of sleep the night before the race.

How big is the field this year? Approximately 45,000 participants are registered, half of whom are international runners.

Where can I find a map of the course? You can download a .pdf map from the official race web site. It includes a color-coded diagram of starting areas for the three waves.

What's the deal with the start villages and corrals? And can you decode these bib numbers? Runners this year will be divided first into three starting villages based on the main color of their bib: blue, orange, or green; the wave in which they'll start is indicated to the left of the race number. Finally, one or two digits (1-63) preceding the dash on the race number indicates a corral assignment. Got that?

Is it too late to book a hotel room in New York for marathon weekend? Probably not—just don't expect a bed and shower next to the finish line. For a little guidance, check out Anthony Travel Inc., the official housing bureau of the marathon. You can expect a room in Midtown, Manhattan (near the finish), to start around $400 per night. If that strains your budget, you can probably find bargains at hotels near the local airports. Just be prepared for inconvenient drives into the city.

Where and when is the race expo? The marathon health and fitness expo is open Thursday and Friday, November 3 and 4, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday, November 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It's held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, Hall 3E, 11th Avenue at 35th Street, Manhattan. The expo is open to the public, so even if you're not running Sunday you can still check out the sales, product samples, and pre-race activities.

What will I find in my race packet? The race bag contains your souvenir shirt, official program, pre-race dinner ticket, two tickets (for a runner and guest) to the post-race party, and a handful of snacks from race sponsors. On race day, the goody bag also serves as the finish line bag to store dry clothes and any other post-race essentials.

What's the best way to spectate? If you're in town, check out race-sponsor ING's Cheering Zones (locations TBA). Each post will have sign-making supplies, fun giveaways, and a DJ. You can also catch the race on TV: NBC4 in New York will broadcast the race starting at 9 a.m. Nationwide, NBC Sports will have a two-hour highlight show at 2 p.m. ET; check local listings for details. Universalsports.com will have live streaming of the race broadcast beginning at 9 a.m., and NBC4 will also stream the race, details TBA.

Can I use the subway without getting hopelessly lost?Sure. In fact, the subway system is often the fastest, cheapest way to navigate the city—particularly when many streets are closed, as during the marathon. For a complete subway map, including a printable version, visit the Metropolitan Transit Authority's web site. And for foolproof point-to-point subway and bus directions, check out a very handy site called Hopstop.com.

How can spectators track runners? If you've got a computer handy, you can visit the official race web site and get split times for up to five athletes with TrackMyRunners. This service will also be powering text message updates (for U.S. carriers only). You can receive SMS updates on up to three runners for $2.99.

This year, you can download the Official ING New York City Marathon Mobile Spectator App Presented by Subway to your iPhone or Android phone starting October 28. It costs $2.99, lets you track up to 10 runners, and gives you mobile access to the NBC4 livestream. More information can be found here.

What can I do if nature calls? Hold it...just a little while longer. Starting at mile three, and at every mile thereafter, portable restrooms will be waiting to offer relief. Don't worry about losing time. Believe us—a few minutes to take care of business will make the rest of your run much more comfortable.

Can I run with an MP3 player, such as an iPod? According to the race's official program, "the use of headphones is strongly discouraged." But with all those cheering fans, why on earth would you need an iPod anyway?